Explore the beautiful nature of New Hampshire!
New Hampshire ended up being one of those states that really surprised us. It often gets overshadowed by other New England destinations, but between the waterfalls, mountain views, and scenic drives, it has a lot going for it — especially for a quick outdoor-focused stop.
This trip took place July 2021.
Check out our full vlog below, where we visited all the rest of the New England States! West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Maine, Massachusetts and Vermont!
During our time in New Hampshire, we:
- Hiked near Conway, NH
- Drove the Kancamagus Highway
- Stayed at Loon Mountain Ski Resort
- Hiked Flume Gorge
Conway, NH Hiking
We were so surprised by the beauty of New Hampshire – a highly underrated state! From rushing waterfalls to scenic covered bridges, to crystal clear water and sweeping views – this state, and the scenic drive along the famous Kancamagus Highway has it all!
After leaving Ogunquit we drove the 2 hours up just past Conway, New Hampshire to a hike called ‘Dianas Baths‘. It was a great introduction to the region. The parking lot was nearly full when we arrived (a good sign of how popular it is), but the trail itself is short, easy, and very walkable at just over a mile round trip.
The walk through the forest is beautiful on its own, but the payoff is a series of cascading waterfalls and smooth rock ledges at the end. You can climb around, sit on the rocks, and explore the different tiers of water flowing through the area.
There’s even a small, deep pool where people were jumping in — something that definitely divides opinion. Some people were confidently jumping in, others (me included) were very much happy just watching. My husband tested it out after confirming it was “safe enough,” while I stayed firmly in the category of observing only. If you want to see a video of the crazy jump, check out the vlog.
Next, we drove to the overlook at Cathedral Ledge State Park. The view from the top is stunning — a wide lookout over forest, lake, and rocky cliffs in the distance. It’s one of those spots that makes you want to linger longer than you planned.
If you have more time, you can also hike up from nearby Echo Lake State Park for a longer, more challenging route, but we kept it quick with just the drive-up view.
For lunch, we headed back toward Conway and stopped at the Swift River Covered Bridge. There were picnic tables right on the bridge, which made for a simple but memorable lunch stop with great views all around.
The area also had plenty of restaurants and cafes nearby, but this ended up being one of those easy, scenic picnic moments that fit the day perfectly.
Kancamagus Highway
Right from Conway, you can hop onto the famous Kancamagus Highway, a 35-mile stretch that winds through the White Mountain National Forest between Conway and Lincoln.
And honestly… this drive is the kind you don’t rush.
It’s one of the most beautiful roads we’ve ever been on. Even just driving it straight through would be worth it, but the real magic is in the stops along the way. We’re sure fall would be absolutely next-level here with peak foliage, but even outside of leaf-peeping season, it’s stunning.
You could technically drive it in about an hour, but that would completely miss the point. With our stops, it ended up taking us at least 5 hours — and we still felt like we could have stayed longer. Each pull-off has small parking lots, and while a few were busy, we were lucky enough to always find a spot.
One thing we’d strongly recommend is planning ahead. We made a quick list of the stops we wanted and roughly how far apart they were, so we could be ready for each turnoff. Some of them come up quickly, and there isn’t always an easy place to turn around if you miss them.
Below is a simple rundown of the stops we made, in order from Conway to Lincoln. It’s a super easy, family-friendly way to experience the area — lots of short walks, river views, and classic New Hampshire scenery. There are longer hikes you can add in too, but we stuck mostly to quick stops and easy trails for this part of the trip.
A perfect “slow travel” kind of day, even if you’re only going 35 miles.
Albany Covered Bridge
This is another one of the many covered bridges you’ll come across along the Kancamagus Highway. This one has a convenient parking area where you can easily get out, walk across the bridge, or even head underneath it to explore the rocky riverbanks below.
Swift River Lower Falls Scenic Area
This was one of the prettiest stops along the drive. It’s a great picnic spot with tables scattered around the area, and plenty of space to wander down to the river. Like many stops on the Kanc, you can climb over rocks, dip your feet in, or just sit and take in the scenery.
Rocky Gorge Scenic Area
This stop felt similar to Swift River but with even more rugged rock formations to explore. There’s a powerful waterfall here, and if you’re brave enough, you can even swim in parts of the river — although the water is very cold. It’s also a great place to just sit on the rocks and enjoy the sound of the water rushing through the gorge.
Russell-Colbath Historic Site
This was a quieter, more historical stop along the route. It features an old house, barn, garden, and small graveyard. It’s not necessarily a must-see if you’re short on time, but it’s an interesting quick stop if you enjoy a bit of history mixed into your scenic drive.
Sabbaday Falls
One of the best “effort vs. reward” stops of the entire drive. The walk is short (about 0.7 miles round trip) and easy, leading you through a beautiful forest trail to a cascading waterfall.
What makes this one special is the viewing setup — wooden steps and platforms let you see the falls from different angles as they drop through a narrow rock gorge. It’s lush, green, and feels almost tucked away in the forest. Definitely worth stopping for.
Sugar Hill Scenic Vista and Pemigewassat Overlook
These next two are overlooks where you park the car and walk straight to the overlook. Both have sweeping views of the forests and mountains in the distance. They are easy, quick stops! You can also just grab a seat at one of the benches and enjoy the view.
Tips for driving the Kancamagus!
- Food – There are no restaurants on the drive, so make sure to pickup supplies for a picnic along the way, since it may take a few hours to drive. There are lots of picnic benches and great places to enjoy a meal
- Cell Service – there is minimal, if any cell phone coverage, so prepare for that. And, as I mentioned before – know where you are going and mark the locations on the map, so you don’t miss a turn out.
- Gas Station – There are no gas stations along the way. It’s only 35 miles or so, but you don’t want to accidently run out along the way!
- Parking – You’ll buy a pass for $5 or so at your first stop and can use the pass all day
- Restrooms – there are portapotties and some primitive bathrooms in some of the various stops along the way, but not all stops have them
Loon Mountain Ski Resort and Lincoln NH
We stayed at the Loon Mountain Resort, which was a fun change of pace in the summer. Even without snow, the resort had plenty to do — zip lines, a gondola, basketball courts, and more. It’s a nice base if you want a mix of outdoor activities and relaxation.
We had a great dinner at The Common Man, which had a cozy, mountain-lodge feel with fireplaces, comfy seating, and really good food. It ended up being one of our favorite meals in the area.
Flume Gorge
On our way out of New Hampshire, we made one last stop at the famous Flume Gorge.
This hike requires advance tickets and timed entry, and it definitely gets busy — we booked ours the day before and still got a decent time slot. It’s also on the pricier side for a hike, which made us hesitate a bit going in.
The trail is about 2.2 miles with moderate elevation gain, and it takes you through a dramatic natural gorge with towering granite walls and a waterfall running through the center. A portion of the trail is an elevated boardwalk attached directly to the cliff face, which is both incredible and slightly nerve-wracking.
The scale of it is what stands out most — sheer rock walls rising 75+ feet and narrowing into tight passageways as you walk through. Despite the cost, it ended up being a really memorable and unique experience.
Overall, New Hampshire was a highlight of our New England road trip. Between the scenic drive on the Kancamagus Highway, the waterfalls, covered bridges, and mountain hikes, it packs a lot into a small area.
If you’re anywhere near the region, it’s absolutely worth carving out a day (or two) to explore — especially if you enjoy easy hikes, scenic drives, and places where you can just slow down and take in the views.
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